Unidentified Drones Shut Down NY Airport, Prompting Hochul’s Fierce Call for Federal Action: ‘This Must Stop’

Unidentified Drones Shut Down NY Airport, Prompting Hochul’s Fierce Call for Federal Action: ‘This Must Stop’

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The ongoing presence of mysterious drones in the skies over the Northeast has escalated into a critical safety concern, culminating in the temporary closure of runways at Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York, on Friday night. According to a report in The New York Post, Governor Kathy Hochul has now called on federal authorities to intervene, stating that the situation “has gone too far.”

The incident at Stewart International occurred at 9:40 p.m., when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a drone sighting near the airport. Stewart, which serves both commercial and military flights and is located adjacent to the New York Air National Guard base where the 105th Airlift Wing is stationed, shut down its runways for an hour. A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, told The New York Post that while no flights were impacted during the closure, the drones posed a clear threat to critical infrastructure. Runway operations resumed at 10:45 p.m.

These unidentified drones are not an isolated issue. As was indicated in The New York Post report, they have been spotted over New Jersey for nearly a month and have also been seen in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Recently, drones were sighted over LaGuardia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, heightening concerns about aviation safety in the region.

Governor Hochul has taken steps at the state level to address the problem, directing the New York State Intelligence Center to investigate drone sightings as early as mid-November. She also tasked the New York State Police with coordinating efforts with federal law enforcement. Despite these measures, Hochul told The New York Post that federal action is now essential to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and public safety.

In a strongly worded statement, Hochul called on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, introduced in June by Representative Mark Green (R-TN). This legislation would reform legal frameworks for countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and expand the FAA’s authority over drone operations. Importantly, it would also allow select state and local law enforcement agencies to engage in counter-UAS activities. “Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential,” Hochul stated, as reported by The New York Post.

Until such legislation is enacted, Hochul urged the Biden Administration to deploy additional federal law enforcement resources to New York and the surrounding region. “The Biden Administration must step in to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people,” she emphasized.

Drone sightings have been widely reported not only across the five boroughs of New York City but also on Long Island. In New Jersey, where most of the sightings have occurred, Coast Guard sailors and local police have observed scores of drones, according to the information provided in The New York Post report. The frequency of these incidents sheds light on the growing urgency for a coordinated response.

The presence of drones near airports and critical infrastructure poses significant risks to public safety and aviation operations. As The New York Post reported, Governor Hochul’s call for federal support and legislative action highlights the need for robust measures to counter the potential threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. With sightings becoming increasingly common across the Northeast, the pressure is mounting for both state and federal authorities to take decisive action.